Being Indian, How I Got Schengen Visa In 3 Days From German Embassy In Los Angeles

The Ineligible Millionaire: “Learning about a boy who was so under-confident, who didn’t know how to speak English properly but honed his skills and became a millionaire is surely an inspirational read. I think a large part of the audience will be able to relate to it, be it students, young professionals or mid-senior level professionals. There is a bit for everyone. And, what I really loved about this book is it doesn’t preach you anything as such in the direct narrative instead there are so many underlying messages which are enough to motivate you.” – BooksAmaze

Tohfaa Shaaadi Ka: “Such a poetic summary of their beautiful step towards their new life. How amazing it is when your loved one writes every beautiful moment in poetry and dedicates it to you. It was more like cherishing every moment of their beautiful life.” – Preethika P, Goodreads

The Ineligible Millionaire: “Arjun’s character is somebody that you grow fond of as a reader because Arjun is literally the humblest guy in the world, somebody who works really hard, somebody who is trying his best to deal with all the distress in his life. Still, life keeps throwing curve balls at him while he tries to dodge them. He keeps getting hit by them, but he doesn’t stop, and that makes his character extremely inspiring. This is the kind of book that gives out the message that good things are just around the corner and you just have to keep going.” – Saumya’s Bookstation

• Purpose: Schengen Visa with multiple entries
• Date of Interview: 14 Dec 2016, 1:30 PM
• Interview location: Consulate General of Germany, 6222 Wilshire Blvd #500, Los Angeles, CA 90048
• Passport received with visa: 17 Dec 2017, 10 AM

First thing which I did, I booked an appointment on 21 Nov to Consulate General of Germany on their website. The flight with free cancellation was costing me $1200 minimum. And, the flight (non-refundable) was costing me $650 for round-trip. It was so cheap but I had risk too. I thought for a while then booked it. Then, I bought travel insurance. I booked hotels (free cancellation) as per my itinerary.

Next day, I filled the form on German Consulate's website. I received acknowledgement on my email.

Important link: http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Tourist__Visa.html

I took a day-off from office on 14 Dec. I bought a round trip train ticket b/w Tustin and LA Union Station. It cost me $20. My friend dropped me at Tustin Metrolink train station. I caught the train #687 at 9 a.m. I reached to LA Union Station in 1 hour. From LA Union Station, I booked Uber Pool for Germany Consulate. It took time to come. I waited for almost 30 minutes. I joined two more persons in the cab as it was Uber Pool. I was the third one to get down at my destination. Driver dropped those two people first at their destinations. I reached to Consulate at 11:30 a.m. It cost me $2.99. I knew I was little early as my appointment was at 1:30 p.m. Uber Pool was cheap in cost but it took time.

Experience at Germany Consulate: It was on 5th floor (Suite #500). I reached there. Security guy asked me for my appointment time. I showed him printout of acknowledgement email. He confirmed my details. He asked me if I wanted to attend interview right away. I was surprised. I said yes. He asked me to go to a counter. There was not a single person. I was the only one.

I went to counter and sat there. Few minutes later one guy joined me on other side of window. He asked me for my documents. I shared all my documents. 

• Original Offer letter of my employer (signed) and one copy (he kept copy and returned original)
• LCA one copy (he returned)
• Paychecks of last 3 months (it must have your name and address) (he kept)
• Bank account statements of last 3 months (it must have your name and address) (he kept)
• Credit card statements of last 3 months (it must have your name and address) (he returned)
• I-94 one copy (he kept)
• Passport and one copy of data page (he kept)
• One copy of USA visa stamped page (he kept)
• Driving license one copy (for address proof) (he kept)
• Completed Schengen Visa application form (he kept)
• One recent passport size photo (he kept)
• Flight details and full itinerary one copy (it must have your name) (he kept)
• Confirmed hotel details one copy (it must have your name, hotel name, hotel address, hotel phone, confirmation number) (he kept)
• I-797 original and one copy (he kept copy and returned original)
• Travel health insurance one copy (he kept)
• Printout of email as confirmation of my leaves from 28 Dec 2016 to 10 Jan 2017 (he kept)
• Courier document (signed) if you want to get your passport delivered to your home by courier. (he kept)

Check the official link: http://www.germany.info/contentblob/4574116/Daten/5678095/SchengenTourist.pdf

Interview:

• He: You want your passport to be delivered by courier? 
• I: Yes
• He: It will cost you $20 extra?
• I: Ok, no problem.
• He: The purpose of your travel?
• I: Tourism
• He: Do you need multiple entry?
• I: Yes
• He: For how long you are going?
• I: 13 days
• He: What is your travel plan? 
• I: I explained my plan in detail.
• He: Where do you live? 
• I: Tustin, California
• He: Where do you work? 
• I: I told my employer name
• He: Is it tentative plan or final? 
• I: Final
• He: When will you return in USA? 
• I: 10th Jan
• He: I need Employee Letter where it is? I need to confirm that you are still working for your employer and going on vacation?
• I:  I have printout of email as confirmation, it's there in bundle I gave. 
• He: I have checked that. It'll not work. I need on company's letter head this content. Also, original one ...no printout ...no scanned.
• I: What if I can email you that document because I don't have now.
• He: I need original hard copy, you understanding what I am trying to say.
• I: Ok, may be tomorrow I can bring if needed.
• He: Hmm, let me see if I can manage with your existing documents. But, I am not sure...you'll get visa. Let me try.

Then he asked me to do payment $87. $67 was visa fees and $20 for courier. I pulled out my debit card from my wallet. He said that he needed cash. I checked my wallet. I was sort of cash. I asked him if there is any ATM near by. He said, there are two: Chase and Wells Fargo. I went and got cash from ATM. While returning to the consulate I called my manager and asked for Employee Letter on company's letter head. I requested him to put my employee id, leave dates and joining date after leaves in that document. Also, requested him to put his name, designation, location, phone, email and signature. I went to counter and did payment. I told him that I'll get document in email so I'll email you now. This is what I can do. If you needed original then I can bring tomorrow here. He was very helpful. He gave me his visiting card. In 5 minutes, I received Employee Letter in my email on my phone with all details. I emailed him that document and he acknowledged 'Thank you.'

• He: Don't worry, I have got all required documents.
• I: By when I can expect my passport?
• He: Most probably by coming Monday (Dec 19)
• I: Thank you

Post Interview: I came down and booked Uber Pool for LA Union Station. It again cost me $2.99 and I reached to LA Union Station at 1:05 p.m. The first train #684 from LA Union Station to Tustin was at 2:11 p.m. It's Tustin reaching time was 3:12 p.m. So I had lunch there. I thought of joining office.

Train started on time. Then, it stopped at Norwalk/ Santa Fe Springs station for almost 1 hour because of some problem. Announcement happened that one train is coming on other platform. All passengers had to get on that train. But, it took time and I reached home at 4:45 p.m. Then, I dropped plan to go office.

On Saturday (Dec 17, 2016) morning 10 a.m., FedEx delivery boy came to deliver my passport. Yes, it was stamped (Type of Visa: C, Number of Entries: MULT, Duration of Stay: 30 days).